Holiday reviews for Kotu

We were very open minded about this holiday, not least because it was reasonably priced and offerred guarunteed sun.

On reaching the hotel, we were quite shocked to see what was going on. The local 'bumsters' (beach beggers); were being permitted to ply their trade within the confines of the hotel. Worse still, was the presence of underage girls soliciting for prostitution, again within the hotel pool/bar areas. Other complaints were poor hygene/cleanliness throughout the hotel complex, poor food quality and a general run down and shabby feel.

Whilst Gambia is an emerging tourism destination and very much third world, there was absolutely no excuse for the things that were going on at the Badala Park, and complaining to both the rep and hotel management proved only partially successful in sorting the issues we had with our room.....infested matress on the bed, light fittings hanging out of the walls, a rag as a shower curtain, a sink that was coming away from the wall, damp stains on the walls and cielings and finally signs of a previous break in. Actually, whilst we were there, two young women had their room burgled (despite the alledged 'security' in the complex); and had all of their belongings stolen.


Some may find our review somewhat harsh, but on returning home our tour operator first offered us ?50 off our next holiday. We declined this, and after a mammoth battle with them, resulting in the tour operators ombudsman becoming involved through ABTA we won over ?500 in damages. This sadly did little to compensate for a ruined holiday in what HAS to be the very worst place we have EVER stayed in!

On the plus side though, if you can get away from the crowded resort beaches and find your way to the lesser known ones (get yourself a good and trustworthy local taxi driver); you will find that there are some beautiful areas in The Gambia. Sadly, we wont be returning.